Here are a few bumper stickers from the WDW anniversary celebrations (15th and 20th), EPCOT’s 10th, and the millennium (I know, not really an anniversary per se, but I needed to categorize it somehow)

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This is a special section from the October 27, 1971 publication of The Orlando Sentinel. This is an editorial section that covers the Grand Opening celebrations that took place on 10/25/71 and gives an overview of the resort. What’s so unique about it is that it’s printed in color. Full color pictures were pretty rare for newspapers until the ’80s, so seeing a whole section with them is pretty neat.

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This is a guidebook from my family’s first trip to WDW in 1976.  I like the references to the Bicentennial festivities and the picture of “America on Parade” on the cover.

Click on the images to enlarge.

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Haunted Mansion

Originally uploaded by gpwelch

Here’s a picture of the Haunted Mansion from 2006 that I processed through Photomatix. I’m getting in the Halloween spirit.

This guidebook isn’t that old, but the date is important to a friend of mine.  And a lot has changed in the MK in the last 13 years.

Don’t we all miss the Castle Cake? 

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

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Happy 39th Birthday, Magic Kingdom and WDW!  This is the guidebook from the 15 Years celebration in 1986/1987.  I got this book during our trip in 1987.  This year was my 15th wedding anniversary, and my sister sang the song from the parade to me.  We have great memories for the oddest things.  Nothing useful, however.

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This is a copy of the Walt Disney World News that we received during our stay at the Contemporary Resort in June, 1979.  It’s wonderful to see all of the other offerings besides the Magic Kingdom that the “World” had to offer.  It seems so much more relaxing than it is today.  And it wasn’t all about the family; it clearly showcases things for adults to do on their own after a day at the parks.  Send the kids to the Mouseketeer Clubhouse and go out and have fun–but don’t forget to pick them up by 11:30 p.m.!

And oh, what I wouldn’t give for a recording of the WDW Information Station on channel 5.  My sister and I can still sing the theme song.  If anyone has a copy of it or can let me know where I might be able to find it, please let me know in the comments.  (I’ve searched on MouseBits, and it’s not available there.  But MouseBits has plenty of other wonderful audio and video from the parks.  I highly recommend it.)

Click on the thumbnails below to see full size images.

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This is the 1978 guidebook to Walt Disney World.  Since the Magic Kingdom was the only theme park, this guide serves as the MK guide as well as the guide to all of WDW.  It includes all of the A – E ticket designations for each attraction.

Click on each thumbnail to view full size image.

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